Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-11-16
LIE sIGSAE

~
The Signal Service made probably the
worst bluuder in its predictions for this
section for Monday that it has made for a
long time. As s general thing, however,
the service is very efficient and the per
centage OF accuracy, considering every
thing. Is remarkable.
The wonderful progress made in meteOro-
logical science has its most conspicuous
exemplar in this service, the meteoro-
logical division Of the United States Army.
Seventeen years have elapsed since this
department was established, and from
what was c~ontemptuOusly called mere
guess work, the service has acquired arep-
utation for c,rtimde which its founder,
Gen. MYER, never probably hoped to at
tain. The national weather service Of the
Government has demonstrated its useful
ness so plainly that 1t has become a neces-
sity to mariners, boatmen, farmers and
business men generally.
1t took many yeas and many discourag-
ing failures before a system ot 'simulta-
neous'' weather telegraphy, and Of tormu-
lating NTH exactne,s the laws Of storms,
was established. The weather maps OF the
service are Invaluable now, by reason Of
the reliable scientific principles on which
they are constructed, and the percentage OF
Notifications or accuracy is very Temarka-
BILE, considering the obstacles with which
the service is embarrassed. The success Of
this bureau has led to the establishment Of
an international weather service, and Gen.
MYERS dream of 4 grand chain OF inter
changed international reports, destined,
with a higher civilization, to bind together
the signal services OF the world, Is in a fair
way Of being realized.
Under the administration OF General
GREEDY, the signal service has made i'm
mense strides, although the material at
hand is by no means adequate 10 the re-
ouirements OF the work. His zeal and
energy would c perfect what is now in
complete in the service, and keep atimely
record Of every meteorological change all
over the continent, by which warnings
could be issued under all circumstances,
and loss Of lite and property avoided, il
his admirable suggestions are carried out.
Congressional meddlipg hos been a con-
siderable drawback 10 his efforts, the re-
suit of it in n instance being tally tx
planned in his recent Interesting report. He
has been obliged to relieve the old trained
officers whose experience and study
in this branch of the service rendered them
invaluable to the Signal Office and to as
sign comparative tyrOs to serve their aP-
premiership in predicting, as Gen. GREE
LY says, at the expense OF the country
The natural blunders of these noyices have
brought discredit upon the service. 1t
would be but common sense on the part OF
Congress to leave all questions relating to
the administration OF the service in the
fully competent and experienced hands OF
Gen. GREEDY. lie also asks for a regular
organization of the corps and an entire re-
form of the existing service and makes
some well considered criticisms on the
want of special training and drill in mill
tary signalling in the army. There IS
vet much to be lone to bring the service to
the high state deficiency aimed at by Gen,
GREEDY. The responsibility for failure to
do this must rest with Congress which
should give Gen. GREELY full executive
power over the service ami grant reason
able appropriations.